Efficacy of the bio-pesticide Spinosad for the controlof onion maggot, Delia alliria Fonseca (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) on the laboratory

Abstract

Onion maggot Delia alliaria fonseca is considered a key pest of onion in Iraq. Since the recent trend is going towards organic Agriculture, Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the bio-pesticide spinosad in attempts to find alternative method for chemical control. Result indicated that Spinosad was the most effective against all stages of the onion maggot, followed by Dozer and then Trigard. Percentage for eggs hatched after 4 days from the treatment were 9.22, 14.16 and 17.94% respectively. Larval mortalities of the first, second and third instars reached to 100% after 7 days for Spinosad and Dozer, Adults emergence for treated pupa were 6.67, 13.33, and 18.33 % after 21 days from treatments for the three insecticides respectively, Death of treated males & females reached 100 % after 5 days from treatment with Spinosad& Dozer, While it was 83.33 and 78.33 % for triaged.